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Amanda Holden admitted that it had taken her “hours to get ready” before Wednesday night’s Animal Hero Awards in London, but it was certainly worth it.

The evening’s host, who was taking the stage at London’s Grosvenor House to present the nation’s most devoted animals, joked that she felt like Lady Mary from Downton Abbey in the floor-length pink dress - despite feeling ill after her whole family came down with a stomach bug.

She said: "It always takes me hours to get ready."It's a fantastic event, they are the unsung heroes of our country. This awards ceremony is special because it's the only one that recognises that animals have such a massive part in our every day life.”

The 43-year-old continued: "And these are animals who have done massive deeds and in some cases saved people's lives. "It's when you hear about cruelty, where some of the animals have started their lives, that always pulls at my heart.”

Amanda, who has two children Alexa and Hollie, revealed that her children might not have conventional presents at Christmas this year. "I was thinking I'd sponsor animals for Christmas presents this year for the girls,” she said.

“They have lots of things, but they don't have a polar bear, or a giraffe."